Slotting machines



July 17, 1956 H. c. GLITSCH SLOTTING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 3. 1952 IN VENTOR Hans C. G/ifsch ATTORNEYS July 17, 1956 Filed April :5, 1952 H. c. GLITSCH 2,754,909

SLOTTING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Q &%"/09 1 47 2 f I 2 10a 5 am 5 V INVENTOR Hans C. Glifsch ATTORNEYS July 17, 1956 H. c. GLITSCH SLOTTING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 3, 1952 INVENTOR Hans 6. Gli/sch ATTORNEYS July 17, 1956 H. c. GLITSCH SLOTTING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 3, 1952 Hans C. GU /sch ATTORNEYS United States Patent SLOTTING MACHINES Hans C. Glitsch, Dallas, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Fritz W. Glitsch & Sons, Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Application April 3, 1952, Serial No. 280,419

Claims. (Cl. 164-37) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in slotting machines.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved machine for economically and elficiently slotting the walls of cylindrical articles and particularly the skirts of bubble caps.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved slotting machine having means for supporting the article to be slotted, means coacting with the supporting means to hold the article in place, means for slotting the article, and means for rotating the article actuated by the slotting means, the operation of said slotting means being commenced by the coaction of the holding means with the supporting means and being rendered inoperative by the rotative means whereby the article is slotted automatically to permit the simultaneous operation of several slotting machines by one person.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved slotting machine having a mandrel for supporting a bubble cap or similar cylindrical article, a ram coacting with the mandrel for holding the cap thereon, a reciprocable punch press for slotting the skirt of the cap, and a rotating mechanism actuated by reciprocation of the press for turning the cap relative to said mandrel to space the slots of the cap, wherein said press is arranged so that its operation is controlled by the ram and rotating means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved slotting machine, of the character described, wherein the ram includes means associated with the rotating mechanism for engaging and transmitting rotation to the bubble cap upon reciprocation of the punch press.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved slotting machine, of the character described, wherein the rotating mechanism and punch press are arranged in such manner as to be operative when the ram is moved into coacting relation with the mandrel and being rendered inoperative upon movement of said ram out of such relationship, said mechanism having means to stop reciprocation of said press and rotation of the bubble cap upon completion of the slotting thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved slotting machine, of the character described, wherein the rotating mechanism includes a sliding connection to permit movement of a portion thereof with the ram into and out of operating relation with the mandrel and the bubble cap supported thereon.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figl is a perspective view of a slotting machine constructed in accordance with the invention and in slotting position with its ram and rotating mechanism lowered,

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view, partly in section,

2 showing the ram and rotating mechanism in raised, inoperative poistion,

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view, taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing a portion of the rotating mechanism,

Fig. 6 is a transverse, vertical, sectional View, taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional view of the rotating mechanism, ram and its punch lowered into coacting relation with the mandrel and its die,

Figs. 8 and 9 are views, similar to Fig. 4, showing the actuation of a control switch upon lowering of the ram and reciprocation of the punch press, respectively,

Figs. 10 and 11 are horizontal, cross-sectional views, taken on the lines 10-40 and 11-11 of Fig. 7, respectively,

Fig. 12 is an exploded view of the ram punch and a portion of its stripper,

Fig. 13 is a perspective View, partly in section, of a portion of the rotating mechanism,

Fig. 14 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional view of a portion of the ram and showing its punch in stripped position, and Fig. 15 is an enlarged, exploded, perspective view of one of the pins and a portion of the hearing which coact to rotatably confine a bubble cap upon the mandrel.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the base of a machine for slotting the skirts or walls of bubble caps A and similar cylindrical articles and which includes a horizontal bed 11, a cylindrical mandrel or support 12 supported by and projecting upwardly from the bed, a ram 13 overlying the mandrel in coacting relationship, a cap or article rotating mechanism or oscillating drive connection 14, and a horizontally reciprocable punch press 15 mounted on said bed rearwardly of the other elements. The punch press 15 includes a belt-driven pulley 16 connected by a clutch 17 to a crankshaft 18 for reciprocating a pitman 19 and a slide 20. Longitudinal guides or ways 21 are provided for the slide 20 by gibs 22 mounted on and attached to upset shoulders or raised portions 23 of the base 10 on each side of said slide. A slotting punch 24 is suitably secured to the outer end of the slide 20, such as by a clamp block 25, and has its greater dimension extending uprightly. The clutch 17 is adapted to be engaged and disengaged by means of a lever 26 which is reciprocated by the opening and closing of an electro-solenoid valve 27.

The mandrel 12 is mounted in a complementary opening 28 formed in the bed 11 and has an annular, supporting flange 29 overlying and bolted to said bed (Figs. 2 and 3). A flat, end or top wall 30 closes the upper end of the mandrel which is tubular and which is of a diameter substantially equal to the diameter or" the bubble caps or similar article A to be slotted for receiving and supporting said cap and particularly its skirt (Fig. 7). Due to its mounting, the mandrel may be readily removed and replaced by a mandrel having an upper end of different diameter for accommodating a bubble cap of different diameter. An upright slot 31, complementary to and alined with the punch 24, is formed in the side wall of the mandrel and a slotted die 32 is suitably mounted in said wall in overlying relation to the slot for coacting with said punch. Thus, slots B may be punched in the skirt of the cap. In addition to the punch, the slot 31 and die 32 receive and permit the disposal of slot blanks through the tubular mandrel. To permit relative rotation of the cap supported on the mandrel, as will be hereinafter explained, an annular, anti-friction bearing 33 is mounted in an axially-alined, complementary recess 34 formed in the mandrel end wall 30. Although shown 3 flush with the end wall, it is noted that the bearing 33. may project above said end wall to support caps of greater length or to lower the relative position of the slots B punched in the skirt of the cap.

The ram 13 includes a pressure fluid cylinder 35 supported by a transverse plate 36 at the upper end of a pair of upright posts 37 and 38 projecting from lateral lugs 39 on each side of the bed 11. Reduced, screwthreaded pins 40 are formed on the ends of the posts 37 and 38 for projecting through the plate 36 and lugs 39 and receiving nuts 41. The cylinder 35 has fluid inlet and outlet lines 42 and the flow offluid is controlled by a solenoid valve 43 connecting the lines. A reciprocable plunger or rod 44 depends from the cylinder and extends through the plate between the posts for supporting acrosshead 45 having collars 46 and 47 at its ends slidably confined on said posts which form guides for the crosshead. As shown in Fig. 7, the crosshead 45 includes a medial boss 48 having an axial, screw-threaded bore 49 in its upper end for engagement with the screwthreaded lower end of the plunger 44. An intermediate counterbore 50 connects the bore 49 to a coaxial bore or socket 51 of larger diameter formed in the lower end of the boss 48 for receiving the upper end of a cylindrical ram element or head 52. The counterbore 50 provides a support for a shouldered retaining pin or screw 53 extending from the bottom of the bore 49 through said counterbore into the socket 51 and having its lower. end screw-threaded in the upper end of the bore 54 of the ram head 52, whereby said head is rotatably suspended from the crosshead boss. An annular thrust bearing 55 is confined between the upper ends of the ram head and socket to facilitate rotation of said head relative to the crosshead. As will be explained, the ram head has an annular, external flange 56 for driving connection with the rotating mechanism 14. A circular plate 57 is fastened to the lower end of the ram head by a plurality of cap screws 58, countersunk in openings 59, for overlying engagement with the bubble cap A supported on the mandrel 12. For assuring rotation of the cap with the ram head and plate 57 relative to the mandrel and its bearing 33, a plurality of upright pins 60 are carried by the "plate and have axial, depending projections or tits 61 for coacting with complementary dimples or recesses 62 formed in the top of said bearing to clamp said cap therebetween (Figs. 12 and 15).

If desired, the ram head 52 may be provided with. a punch for punching an axial opening C in the top of the bubble cap. An enlarged, cylindrical chamber or core 63, having an alined counterbore 64 at its upper end, is formed axially in the lower portion of thev ram head by enlarging its bore 54 below its flange 56. The pins. 60, which have their lower portionsreduced for extending through openings 65 in the plate 57 and to provide shoulders 66 overlying said plate, project upwardly into the chamber 63 for supporting an annular retainer. 67. A cylindrical punch pin or tool 68, having its head 69 confined in the counterbore 66 by the retainer 67, extends through said retainer collar and an axial opening 70 formed in the plate. The end wall 30 of the mandrel is provided with an axial, recessed opening 71, internally of its bearing 33, to support an annular die 72 for receiving and coacting with the punch tool 68. Thus, upon engagement of the ram plate with the cap, the tool pierces the top of said cap to punch the opening C therein.

In order to strip the cap from the tool, the plate opening 70 is of larger diameter than said tool and a flanged stripping sleeve 73 is slidably confined therein in surrounding relation to the lower portion of the tool. Radial slots 74 are formed in the lower end of the ram head, externally of its chamber 63, for receiving the radial arms 75 of a spider 76 (Figs. 7, 10, 12 and 14) which has an axial, recessed opening '77 for receiving the flange of the stripping sleeve 73 andopenings 78 for the upper portions of the pins 60. The slots '74 are of a depth greater than the thickness of the spider arms 75, which have their outer ends reduced, and a recess 79 is formed in the upper surface of the plate 57 to permit the spider and stripping sleeve to reciprocate relative to the ram head, its plate, punch tool, pins and retainer. A stripping ring 86 is slidably confined on the upper end of the crosshead collar 48 and is adapted to be urged downwardly upon upward movement of the crosshead by engagement with adjustable stops or bolts 81 which depend from the transverse plate 36. The ring has a plurality of push pins or rods 82 extending therefrom through openings 83 in the crosshead boss 48 (Fig. 11) into engagement with a similar ring 84 confined upon the lower end of said collar immediately above the flange 56. A plurality of push rods or pins 85 extend from the ring 84 through openings 86 in the flange into engagement with a ring 87 slidably confined upon the lower portion of the ram head in overlying relation to the spider arms 75. Thus, when the ring 80 is moved downwardly by engagement with the bolts 81, the rings 84 and 87 are moved downwardly by the push rods 82, and 85, respectively, so as to lower the spider 76 and stripping sleeve 73 relative to the ram head. As a result, the cap is stripped from the tool 68. Due to the provision of the push rods and rings, longitudinal stripping movement is permitted as well as rotation of the rods 85 with the ram head and its flange relative to the crosshead, its boss and the rods 82. The rings 80, 84 and 87 may rotate or remain stationary.

For lifting the bubble cap from the mandrel 12, particularly when the punch is not employed, a lifter or stripper 88 is provided and includes a pair of collars 89 and 90. As shown in Figs. 2-4 and 7, the collar 89 encircles the upper portion of the mandrel and the collar 90 is slidably confined upon the post 37. A pair of bars or links 91 and screws or fasteners 92 and 93 connect the collar 90 to the end collar 46 of the crosshead 45 and each has a longitudinal slot 94 for receiving the upper fastener 92 to permit vertical adjustment of the lifter 88 relative to said crosshead. Manifestly, the lifter 88 moves with the crosshead so as to lift the cap from the mandrel upon upward movement of said crosshead.

The rotating mechanism 14 includes a member or sleeve 95, having an external, longitudinal rib or key 96, confined upon the post 38 between the transverse plate 36 and a base collar 97 which surrounds the lower end of said post and rests on said bed. As most clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 13, the collar 97 has a radial boss or stop 98 and is fastened in adjusted positions against rotation relative to the post by a suitable set screw 99. A drive collar 100, having an internal groove 101 for receiving the key 96 and an external, depending lug or stop 102 for coacting with the stop 98, encircles the lower end of the sleeve above the base collar 97 and a bearing ring 103 is interposed therebetween. The drive collar is connected to the slide 20 of the punch press 15 by an adjustable toggle link 104 and suitable brackets 105 and 106, whereby the drive collar and keyed sleeve are oscillated upon each reciprocation of said press. Due to the coaction of the stops 98 and 102 as well as the adjustment of the toggle link 104, the stroke or length of the oscillating movement may be regulated. The sleeve 95 extends through the crosshead and its collar 47 which is of enlarged diameter for receiving a bearing collar 107 keyed to said sleeve and having a lateral arm or member 108 made integral therewith as shown in Figs. 6 and 13. An annular, flanged retainer 109 is screw-threaded in the upper end of the bearing collar 107 and overlies the crosshead collar to confine and support said bearing collar therein. The arm 188 extends inwardly toward the ram 13 and has a pawl 110 pivotally attached to its underside by a suitable fastener 111. The pawl 110 is maintained in driving engagement with the peripheral ratchet teeth 112 of an index ring 113 encircling and fastened to the flange 56 by a spring 114 carried by its supporting farm and is swungor oscillates with said arm upon oscila lation of the drive collar andsleeve. Due to the coaction of the pawl 110 and the ratchet teeth 112, the oscillatory movement is transmitted to the index ring 113 and the ram head in the form of intermittent or tooth-by-tooth rotation. Of course, the index ring and its teeth determine the spacing of the slots B of the bubble cap which may be varied by substituting other index rings.

For actuating the solenoid valve 43 to lower and raise the ram 13, a double-throw toggle switch 115 is mounted on a control panel 116 at the front of the base and has electrical connection (not shown) with said valve. Since the electrical and pressure fluid connections are conventional, the same have not been illustrated. Upon movement of the switch 115 in one direction, the solenoid valve is actuated to direct pressure fluid to the upper end of the cylinder 35 for forcing the plunger 44 downwardly and holding its ram plate 57 in clamping engagement with the bubble cap supported upon the mandrel 12. Movement of the switch in the other direction, actuates the valve 43 to direct fluid to the lower end of the cylinder for lifting the plunger and its ram plate. As has been explained, the crosshead 45 and a portion of the rotating mechanism 14 is lowered and raised with ram plunger.

In order to actuate the electro-solenoid valve 27 (Fig. 2) which controls the clutch 17, a micro-switch 117 is mounted upon the end collar 46 of the crosshead by a suitable bracket 118 and is electrically connected to said valve. The switch has a lever 119 directed rearwardly (Figs. 3 and 4) for engagement by a cam 120 upon lowering of the crosshead (Fig. 8). The cam is in the form of a bell-crank pivotally supported by a clamp bracket 121 on the post 37 above the lifter 88 and is swung upwardly past the lever 11? upon forward reciprocation of the angular arm 122 of a trip lever 123 carried by the slide 22 of the press (Fig. 9). Upon actuation or closing of the micro-switch 117 by the pivoted cam, the valve 27 is opened so as to engage its clutch and cause operation of the press and reciprocation of its slide and punch 24 for slotting the skirt of the cap. As has been explained, the rotating mechanism 14 is actuated by reciprocation of the slide to intermittently rotate the ram head 52, plate 57 and bubble cap. This reciprocation engages the arm 122 with the pivoted cam 120 to swing said cam upwardly past the lever 11? and thereby open the micro-switch to permit subsequent closing of the valve and stopping of the slotting operation.

Another micro-switch 124 is mounted on the crosshead by a bracket 125 and is electrically connected to the valve 27. The switch has a lever 126 adapted to be engaged by an upstanding pin 127 adjustably supported on the flange 56 of the ram head by a plate 128 (Figs. 3 and 11). Upon completion of the slotting of the cap or a full rotation, the pin 127 engages the lever 126 so as to close the valve for disengaging the clutch and stopping the reciprocation of the slide. The ram head, its plate 57 and the crosshead are then raised by actuation of the switch 115 and the solenoid valve 43. Due to the connection of the lifter 88 with the crosshead, the cap is lifted from the mandrel upon raising of said crosshead. Since the cam 129 has been swung past the lever 119, said cam clears said lever and does not operate its switch 117 when the latter moves upwardly with the crosshead.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for slotting the walls of cylindrical articles including, a stationary support for the article to be slotted, a ram movable toward and away from the support, an element rotatably mounted on the ram in substantial alinement with said support and movable by the ram into engagement with the end of the article so as to confine the article upon said support, a reciprocable punch press angularly disposed relative to said support and coacting therewith for slotting the wall of the article, and a rotating mechanism drivingly connecting the rotatable element to the press and converting the reciprocation of said press into intermittent rotation of said element so as to turn the article relative to said support upon each reciprocation of said press and space the slotting of the wall of the article.

2. A slotting machine as set forth in claim 1 including, a clutch engaged to reciprocate the punch press upon movement of the ram and its rotatable element into coacting relation with the support and disengaged upon a predetermined rotation of said element.

3. A slotting machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rotating mechanism includes oscillating means for converting the reciprocable motion of the punch press into intermittent rotation of the element.

4. A machine for slotting the walls of cylindrical articles including, a complementary stationary support for the article to be slotted, ram means, an element rotatably mounted on the ram for engagement with the end of the article and coacting with the support to confine the article thereupon, a reciprocable punch press coacting with said support for slotting the wall of the article, and a rotating mechanism having driving connection with the press and element for turning the element and article relative to said support upon each reciprocation of said press to space the slotting of the article.

5. A slotting machine as set forth in claim 4 including, means controlling the reciprocation of the punch press and actuated upon engagement of the rotatable element with the article to reciprocate said press, the control means being actuated by a predetermined rotation of said element for stopping reciprocation of said press.

6. A slotting machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein the rotating mechanism includes means drivingly connecting the punch press to the rotatable element and oscillated by the reciprocable movement of said press to impart intermittent rotation to said element and the arti cle confined upon the support.

7. A slotting machine as set forth in claim 6 including, pawl and ratchet means connecting the oscillating means to the rotatable element.

8. A machine for slotting the skirt of a bubble cap in cluding, a complementary stationary mandrel for receiving and supporting the bubble cap, a ram movable longitudinally of the mandrel, an element rotatably supported by the ram in substantially axial alinement with said mandrel and movable by said ram into and out of engagement with the cap for rotatably confining the cap on said man drel, a punch press reciprocable transversely of said mandrel and coacting therewith for slotting the skirt of the cap, and an oscillating drive connection between the press and element for rotating the element and cap relative to said mandrel upon each reciprocation of said press to space the slotting of the cap skirt.

9. A slotting machine as set forth in claim 8 including, control means actuated by movement of the ram and its rotatable element into cap engaging position for reciprocating the punch press and actuated to render said press inoperative upon a predetermined rotation of said element.

10. A slotting machine as set forth in claim 8 including, clutch means controlling the reciprocation of the punch press, means actuated upon movement of the rotatable element into cap engaging position to engage the clutch means and reciprocate said press, and means actuated by a predetermined rotation of said element for disengaging said clutch.

11. A slotting machine as set forth in claim 8 including, a punch carried by the rotatable element and coacting with the mandrel for piercing the top of the bubble cap upon engagement of said element with the cap, and

a crosshead rotatably supporting and connecting the element to the ram, a guide for the crosshead, the osciiiating drive connection including a pair of members slidably connected against relative rotation, one of the members being rotatably supported by the guide and having connection with the punch press so as to be oscillated by reciprocation of said press, the other member oscillating with the first member and rotatably supported by and movable with said crosshead longitudinally of said guide and said first member, index means mounted on said element to control its rotation and determine the spacing of the slotting of the bubble cap skirt, and coacting drive means mounted on and oscillated with said other member and engaging the index means to impart intermittent rotation thereto.

14. A slotting machine as set forth in claim 13 including, a clutch means controlling the reciprocation of the punch press, the clutch means being engaged to reciprocate said press upon movement of the crosshead and rotatable element into cap engaging position and disengaged upon a complete revolution of said element and cap.

15. A slotting machine asset forth in claim 8 wherein the oscillating drive connection includes a pair of members slidably connected against relative rotation, one of the members being movable with the ram and its rotatable element longitudinally of the other member, said other member having connection with the punch press whereby both members are oscillated by reciprocation of said press, and a pawl and ratchet drive connection between the element and the member movable therewith for imparting intermittent rotation to said member.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 113,618 Bigelow Apr. 11, 1871 477,899 Jones June 28, 1892 642,822 Kelly Feb. 6, 1900 1,334,364- Fox Mar. 23, 1920 1,878,520 Hughes Sept. 20, 1932 1,913,591 Graf June 13, 1933 2,433,117 Hallander Dec. 23, 1947 2,562,702 David et al July 31, 1951 

